2013 Combine Winners & Losers

[Black Bolt]

Originally Posted by raphael

Pete Shraeger from Fox Sports had him going 7th overall in his mock. Don't think that's necessarily too far off the mark.

Thanks. The one from 3/01/13 actually had him going 30th in a trade. I've had him as a first rounder since the college season.

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by raphael

Vance McDonald had a better one. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as the first TE off the board. Definitely would top my list.

Now, if he could only catch the ball, he would indeed have a possibility of being the #1 TE, however, his hands are very inconsistent and he drops way too many easy balls. Still, I really like him in rounds 3/4.

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by raphael

Yeah, I like Hunt, he seems like he could be an asset in a lot of different ways. Mainly disrupting the passing lanes for QBs, but not enough to justify a first round pick.

Point I was trying to make was that I don't think that the Combine should alter draft boards all that much.

The Combine alters draft boards in a couple of ways, first is the obvious, if you post excellent measurable and the GM's and scouts weren't expecting it or vis a versa, you post mediocre measurables when the GM's and scouts were expecting much better. The junior class can make a huge impact here since they have been scouted far less than seniors, many having played only 1 starting season in major programs because of the talent ahead of them.

Players coming from small school programs and facing real competition for the first time and responding exceptionally to the challenges can also move up or down draft boards considerably depending on how well or poor they perform.

GM's and scouts also get to see prospects workout even if it is in shorts, against the best collegians, people don't give enough credit to the ability of GM's, scouts and team's coaches, to judge talent just by what they see during the workouts and there can be significant movement based on the drills as well.

Then, there is the interview process and the thorough health examinations which can also significantly alter a team perception of prospects, so movement up and down draft boards can be substantial, of course, the vast majority of prospects fall into the insignificant area where they stay pretty well the same because they show athletic abilities and skills that are just what everybody expected. But there is always about 10% where movement is significant.